Chandigarh: In a blistering attack on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Home Minister Rajnath Singh yesterday said its establishment is engaged in fuelling terrorism in India, and warned that “those who rear snakes would be bitten.”

India is against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism but does not hate “its people”, the minister said, and offered help to conduct anti-terrorism campaign in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir for the “closure of terror factories”.

His attack on Pakistan comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi dubbed it as the mothership of terrorism.

Addressing the the two-day Regional Editors’ Conference from north and northeast states here, Singh said, “Pakistan’s entire establishment is engaged in fuelling terrorism in India and that's why, the management of areas along the Indo-Pak border has become a challenging task...

But those who rear snakes should know they would bite them.”

By adopting terrorism as its state policy, Pakistan is getting isolated not only in South Asia but also in the international community, Singh said.

“Pakistan is so obsessed with some issues that neither it can benefit others, nor it can see its own welfare. Its obsession with Kashmir has reached such a level that it cannot tell apart a terrorist from a freedom fighter,” the home minister said.

“As far as the relationship between India and Pakistan is concerned, the biggest hindrance is Pakistan as its attitude towards terrorism is flexible. As far as India’s intention is concerned, we want to eliminate terrorism from the entire region,” Singh said.

The Home Minister stressed that India “hates” Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and not its people. “No hatred towards people of Pakistan. We do not hate people of Pakistan and we do not want to keep a distance from them. We hate Pakistan-sponsored terrorism only.”

“If its intentions remain clear, India can help Pakistan carry out an anti-terror campaign in PoK,” he said.

Parrikar hits outAhmedabad: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar yesterday hit out at those seeking proof of cross-LoC surgical strikes. “When Indian Army says something we should believe it. It (Army) is the world’s best... professional, brave and having a high integrity. I do not feel that anybody will seek proof from them (Army) here in Ahmedabad,” Parrikar said.

MEA saysBenaulim: India yesterday said Pakistan has been isolated due to its own policies. “If someone has been isolated, it is due to the country’s own policies. India has had nothing to do with it,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said.